I wonder if anyone would be willing to share their healthy weight loss successes and tips on this thread. I initially lost weight on the BTD, and mostly have plateaued around that weight, but am certainly at least 15 (if not 25) pounds over my optimum some 2 years after starting the BTD (although I was rather loosey-goosey with it for a while, and didn't do frequencies). I know there are others who are struggling even more with their health and weight who might be interested.

So: what's worked for you? Was it BTD-related? And what got you past your plateaus?

I was approximately 30 pounds overweight, until BTD. Before BTD, I tried EVERYTHING, including exercising at the gym every day for over an hour. Strenuous exercise, eating next to nothing, etc., didn't do a thing for my weight loss plateau. I was afraid that something was seriuosly wrong with me. Then, in February, I started BTD. The weight started falling off. I'm now only 8 pounds away from my goal. These days, it seems like I lose about 3 pounds a week, with little effort. I still exercise almost every day, but not to the extent that I was before. For me, just cutting out all wheat, and "avoid" grains seemed to do the trick. I guess I'm eating way more veggies, too, just to fill me up. ...Oh, and cutting out coffee was a biggie. If I drink coffee, I tend to crave a dessert type thing to go with it. No coffee, means no wheat or sugar - for me. Are you cutting out all avoid grains? The thing I found, was that corn/corn products are in almost everything. So, when I thought I was being "good", I was, in reality, eating a lot of corn/products. Check to make sure that you are really avoiding all grain avoids. Also, sweeteners.

Good luck! I really haven't found anything better than the BTD diet - for me. I would never do anything else!

I'm just avoiding the avoids - especially the grains, sugars, and dairy. I've never really paid attention to the frequencies, though, because just avoiding the avoids and getting in as many bennies as possible, is hard enough.

Like I said before - I found corn or corn products in almost everything that I pick up. I now make things from scratch and read every label!

I have had similar experiences as Megm. I stay away from avoids and limit as much as possible the neutrals and stick to the beneficials. I have lost of total of 40 pounds and probably have another 15 to loose. I found that things have slowed a little but when I increase my activities I noticed the weight is starting to come off again.

Do you exercise? If not, you may want to add brisk walking to start but start out slow and increase the time you walk and the pace you walk.

I do exercise, but it falls out of the mix when I'm stressed. I know others have expressed their frustration even more than me about plateauing. So I thought I'd gather as many tips as possible. Are you,Missy, as conscientious about avoiding corn? What avoids might make it into your diet?

I have lost 22 lbs in the first 6 months, although most of the weight came off very early on. If I ever wish to sabotage my efforts I simply dig into my favourite Ezekial toast, almond butter, and banana sandwich, I think it is the banana that is doing me in!

"I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now" - Bob Dylan

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts." - Mark Twain

Well being A I don't know if this will help. I have lost 75 pounds in 5 months but have been at a plateau for the last 7 weeks (see my thread in the Eat right section). Everbody keeps telling me I should cut down on the grains, so that is what I am going to do. Will keep you posted if that indeed helps.

I found just following the diet didn't cause weight loss for me, but when I started using the NAPH Deflect product, I started losing. It repairs the intestinal tract by attacting lectins that may be adhering to the tissue., also provides sacrificial molecules so the lectins are attracted to it rather than you. This is one supplement I doubt if I ever quit. Take care. CB

In the confrontation between the river and the rock, the river always wins....not through strength, † † † † † † † † † but by perseverance.

I take 2 before meals. I'm also doing the Intrinsa product for intestinal repair but I've been doing it for a short time. The Deflect I've been on for 4 or 5 years. I knew within 24 hrs it was doing something for me. Doc D talks about the ingredients in (I think), Live Right. The Intrinsa was added after a visit to him April 5th. Take care. CB

In the confrontation between the river and the rock, the river always wins....not through strength, † † † † † † † † † but by perseverance.

I really didn't need to tose any weight. I started the btd because of allergies. I have now lose 8 pounds and I still eat a ton. I can't believe I can still eat like i do and still lose weight. crazy. I just avoid the avoids. I've been at the same weight for years. Since november i've lost the 8 pounds and i'm still losing.

I wonder if anyone would be willing to share their healthy weight loss successes and tips on this thread. †I initially lost weight on the BTD, and mostly have plateaued around that weight, but am certainly at least 15 (if not 25) pounds over my optimum some 2 years after starting the BTD (although I was rather loosey-goosey with it for a while, and didn't do frequencies). †I know there are others who are struggling even more with their health and weight who might be interested.

So: †what's worked for you? †Was it BTD-related? †And what got you past your plateaus?

Hi, Patty Lee.

I have to say as an O non-secretor who has been on the BTD since 1997 with one eight-month exception, I think--just mho--that Type O non-secretors have the hardest time losing weight of all the types. I could be wrong on that, but that is my opinion. While I have been down to virtually my goal once and then this past June to within ten pounds, I struggle with this mightily. I'm currently at a high weight and very frustrated about it. However, I know what to do. I just have a hard time doing it all to the ideal consistently, and that is the thing about being an O non-secretor who struggles with weight loss/management: you basically have to do the ideal diet all the time, or the vast majority of the time. And if you are addicted to starch, basically, like I am, you are gonna have one tough row to hoe, let me tell ya.

So, why not chuck the BTD and do something else? I'll tell you why for me anyway: Even though this road is hard it is the best road there is. It reminds me of that quote "Democracy is the worst system of government in the world, except for all the other systems". It is being a Type O nonnie with grain sensitivities that makes weight loss hard in this society, NOT the BTD. The BTD is the only thing standing between me and being probably at least 300 lbs by now. So even though I struggle to get to and stay at the ideal, even with the BTD, trying to go it without the BTD would be unimaginable to me at this point. And if I were to follow it better in the ways that I don't, I'd be slimmer, and I know this because when I do follow it better in those ways than I am in recent times, I have indeed been slimmer.

Ya do that, the weight goes away. However...gosh but those three little items are difficil.

Short of being consistently ideal with our diets/exercise program, which is hard for anyone to do--dat's why they call it "ideal"--we have to accept and be patient with the fact that weight is an issue for many O nons, period and the end. For me, it is something I will always be challenged by, I'll always have to try a little harder on this front than some other blood types, just as some other blood types will have to try harder than I do on different fronts that are a breeze for me. For example, as long as I follow my diet at a very doable, realistic level, heart health and blood pressure and all that good jazz seems to be a breeze for me (although I shall be getting bloodwork for the first time in several years soon, so maybe I should withhood that little statement *lol*...but last time I had bloodwork I was two or three years into the BTD and it was a thing of beauty).

It's like the old Avis Car Rental ad, we just have to "try harder". That is all we can do. This is the hand we were dealt.

As far as concrete advice, again, do what I say, not what I do *lol*:

No grains, more fruit and veg, excercise daily for an hour.

Seems like I should be able to do that tiny sentence consistently. And yet...

"If you are on one of Dr. D's diets and it isn't joyful, you aren't doing it right."- me -

I have lost 22 lbs in the first 6 months, although most of the weight came off very early on. If I ever wish to sabotage my efforts I simply dig into my favourite Ezekial toast, almond butter, and banana sandwich, I think it is the banana that is doing me in!

Oh, I don't, Howard. I think it is the Ezekial toast because have you read the ingredients on the brand you buy? If there is ANY unsprouted wheat in there, fuggedabout it. Also, just my opinion, but if it has "sprouted lentils", this could be a prob because sprouting does not necessarily render the lentil lectin harmless as it does the wheat lectin. In short, there is ezekiel bread and there is ezekiel bread, it depends on the brand whether it is beneficial or a downright major avoid, imho. Basically you want a sprouted wheat bread with no unsprouted wheat/flour ingredients and no "sprouted lentils" like some brands have. But as for that nonnie-beneficial banana, I proclaim its probably innocence throughout the cyberland! It has been wrongly accused *lol*!

"If you are on one of Dr. D's diets and it isn't joyful, you aren't doing it right."- me -

I found just following the diet didn't cause weight loss for me, but when I started using the NAPH Deflect product, I started losing. †It repairs the intestinal tract by attacting lectins that may be adhering to the tissue., also provides sacrificial molecules so the lectins are attracted to it rather than you. †This is one supplement I doubt if I ever quit. †Take care. †CB

Interesting!

"If you are on one of Dr. D's diets and it isn't joyful, you aren't doing it right."- me -

Yep - fruits and veggies are our friends as O's - with a side of protien. Grains are our biggest problems - but we'd rather give up the nutrient dense fruits espeically before letting go of our grains sometimes. Myself included - us O's just need to step away from the grains and pick up our benneficial fruits and veggies much more often. I think that's the biggest downfall of the low carb craze - it made so many people think that fruit was an enemy to them when it's one of the best things for them.

I mentioned the banana because of its relatively high glycemic index. I worry that I eat too many fruits--that is, I worry that I tend more to the sugar. I would eat fruit all day if I could. But maybe it is the grain. I wish it were easier (and cheaper) to eat all good meats and veggies, with occasional fruit....then I could really test both my & Pepp's theory. Indeed, grains are always easier for chowing, but I could do without them, or at least go with the low end of the recommendations. It's hard: my partner is an A, and while he isn't on the BTD, he tends toward the A diet, and is very happy with more frequent whole-grain pasta dinners than I am.

Exercise is of course essential, and after looking at the exercise threads, I see that I'm lacking more than I even realized. I agree that it has to be with the BTD, though, PT, because I started the BTD after months of heavy heavy exercise and no weight loss (plus high cholesterol). I was SO frustrated! They wanted to put me on cholesterol-lowering drugs even though I had no signs of heart disease and I was, at the time, 34. I said NO WAY--give me a chance to try some dietary changes (they gave me the South Beach Diet; but then I stumbled onto the BTD and it rang many many bells). Even though I still struggle with weight, I remain 15 pounds lighter than that former time (and my cholesterol is still lower, though probably still not ideal). I have low blood pressure, a slow pulse, and my basal temp tends to run cool; no clinical evidence of hypothyroid, but clearly the furnace ain't burning hot.

PT, do you avoid that Manna bread, too? It's listed as a beneficial--it's only sprouted rye and water (maybe some salt)--I just discovered that our coop now has it. It fills me up for HOURS, and doesn't start a grain binge.

...I have low blood pressure, a slow pulse, and my basal temp tends to run cool; no clinical evidence of hypothyroid, but clearly the furnace ain't burning hot.

My temp runs cool, too, and I don't think it did when I was a kid...but who can remember? †I think it used to run normal, though, 98.6. †Nowadays, it is always 96.8 and I ask, are ya sure, are ya sure you didn't flip around the 8 and the 6, but no, indeed I am 96.8. †I just do wonder if this indicates a hypothyroid situation, what with my WEIGHT and all. †I am getting bloodwork soon, hopefully that will come out normal, thyroid-wise, although my understanding is that you can't really discern much from standard bloodwork. †The other thing is, like you just said you have, I have low BP, or the bottom # is low, imho, anyway. †I mean, 64, 66 and 66 lately (I've had it taken a lot lately, due to going to more doctors in the past month than I have in the past decade *lol*, plus getting my temp taken at work the day the vertigo started). †NunuDoc's nurse says the 66 is "wonderful", so I'm running with that, but I do wonder about my thyroid...didn't know low BP was a possible indicator. †The temperature thing I knew, though. †Dang, I mean, in a way it would be a relief to have something to BLAME for the weight situation, but on the other hand, I come down on the side of wanting my thyroid function to be just fine and dandy. †I'd rather have to work harder on the weight loss and NOT take thyroid medication. †Hormones freak me out, maaaahn. †I mean, when humankind dispenses them, that is. †When nature/God puts 'em into my system, I don't fret, but when people in white lab coats start telling me to ingest 'em, I have historically run in the other direction and ended up glad of it. †Example: †years ago, didn't get my period for months on end (viva la high carb, vegetarian diet! †wu HU). †The doctor at the glorious (NOT) HMO clinic said: †Go on "Provera". †I said "Hell no." †I had read in "Our Bodies/Ourselves" how scary THAT drug is. †No thank you, ma'am. †God bless "Our Bodies/Ourselves", that book is an empowering lifechanger...but I digress. †Anyway, continued to have irregular period spacing now and then until the BTD. †Since the BTD, I'm as regular as the train schedule under a dictatorship, baby, or close enough.

Quoted Text

PT, do you avoid that Manna bread, too? †It's listed as a beneficial--it's only sprouted rye and water (maybe some salt)--I just discovered that our coop now has it. †It fills me up for HOURS, and doesn't start a grain binge.

I think that is the best of the bread choices, go for it if you want bread! †They don't have it at my HFS. †I guess it would take up too much room that otherwise goes to the chip and chocolate aisle.

"If you are on one of Dr. D's diets and it isn't joyful, you aren't doing it right."- me -

Mo Don, thanks. I tried to follow that thread. I found it above my head, and I can't get a handle on what the implications would be in practice.I consider myself fairly medically literate at the gross level, but not at the chemical level, and I'm a bit phobic about taking multiple supplements. Do you know what's going on there?

PT, I should say I don't think the low BP is necessarily an indicator of hypothyroid at all. I just see it as a sign that, to put it unscientifically, our bodies are on the slow train. I too don't really want it to be hypothyroid, but I do wonder sometimes, and may seek out further testing from my new dr when I meet her at my next appt.

Each individual patient will have any number of these symptoms which will vary with the severity of the thyroid hormone deficiency and the length of time the body has been deprived of the proper amount of hormone. Some patients will have one of these symptoms as their main complaint, while another will not have that problem at all and will be suffering from a different symptom. Most will have a combination of a number of these symptoms. Occasionally, some patients with hypothyroidism have no symptoms at all, or they are just so subtle that they go unnoticed. Note: Although this may sound obvious, if you have these symptoms, you need to discuss them with your doctor and probably seek the skills of an endocrinologist. If you have already been diagnosed and treated for hypothyroidism and you continue to have any or all of these symptoms, you need to discuss it with your physician. Although treatment of hypothyroidism can be quite easy in some individuals, others will have a difficult time finding the right type and amount of replacement thyroid hormone."

Anyway, I think it's interesting that you have low BP too. Mine runs from textbook "perfect" (110/70) to 105/58. My pulse can be as slow as 45. I am not a slug, but I am no longer a trained athlete (I can only claim to have been that for about 3 years in college, when I rowed and fenced, both.) I too am told it's "wonderful," but I did have one nurse show some concern at the low pulse. No follow-up, though.

Peppy,You mentioned exercising for an hour. I just have a thought on that one. If I really believed that I needed to exercise for an hour every day, I would never exercise at all. I would defeat myself before I even started, because for many reasons, 1 hour is way too much for me in the way of both time and energy.I make it my intention to simply exercise everyday. Some days it ends up being 10 minutes, and some days, it ends up being an hour, usually it's somewhere in between. I have to allow myself to fit it in when and where I can, or I will feel like a failure and will stop trying. I've found that if I can even walk for 15 minutes a day, it begins to slowly shift my metabolism and I gradually begin to crave more and more exercise, and I naturally start to walk for 20 minutes, then 25 minutes, etc.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.~Mary Jean Irion

Could it be an O nonnie thing? My temperature, my blood pressure and my pulse are really low, too. The last time I had it taken, my BP was 84/59. Nurses comment that I must exercise a lot but I don't - I exercise but I don't go overboard and I don't jog. †

Peppy,You mentioned exercising for an hour. †I just have a thought on that one. †If I really believed that I needed to exercise for an hour every day, I would never exercise at all. †I would defeat myself before I even started, because for many reasons, 1 hour is way too much for me in the way of both time and energy.I make it my intention to simply exercise everyday. †Some days it ends up being 10 minutes, and some days, it ends up being an hour, usually it's somewhere in between. †I have to allow myself to fit it in when and where I can, or I will feel like a failure and will stop trying. †I've found that if I can even walk for 15 minutes a day, it begins to slowly shift my metabolism and I gradually begin to crave more and more exercise, and I naturally start to walk for 20 minutes, then 25 minutes, etc.

Victoria, very important points you make there! †I am the same way, I just have to do the best I can and not make arbitrary standards for myself like "I'm going to exercise for an hour EVERY day", because then if I don't, as you say, I'd feel like a failure. †I just do the best I can.* †And--I can't stress this enough about all aspects of the diet and exercise program--never give up, never toss it, never wave the white flag, even if you hit a bad patch. †What do I mean by "bad patch"? †Well, it could be several things, like a plateau or even weight gain, for example, in which case you just need to tweak and tune and keep on keepin' on. †Or, it could be, especially when you are "new" to the diet (and I mean "new" as in the first few YEARS, baby), that you find you occasionally really slip up and go on a little avoid bender, in which case, don't feel like a failure and totally chuck it! †POST about it (that's what I always did) and let this wonderful community give you advice and insight as to what might be going on, what you can do, etc. †I learned so much from the BTD community that I know I wouldn't be where I am today without it, and where I am is, I actually can say I don't go on "avoid benders" anymore, or it is very, VERY, exceedingly rare now. †I do see a lot of evolution in my diet for the better, but at the same time, I continue to struggle with the weight thing. †I think I always will, as I said in an earlier post. †Hopefully, at some point, I'll be struggling to KEEP the weight off, but I'll always have to work at it. †I'll never be "done" with weight management.

Anyway, back to the exercise thing: †I think all we can do is just make a commitment to doing the best we can every day. †Dat's all.

* I just suggested the hour per day because the question being asked was, what can I do to lose weight and I think that is a concrete, specific suggestion for what will work, however, I also said in the post that it is an ideal. In the realm of the real, we just do the best we can.

"If you are on one of Dr. D's diets and it isn't joyful, you aren't doing it right."- me -

I think the comments about exercise are right on: an hour would be ideal, but anything is good, and it's so easy to avoid doing anything if you don't have the time to commit. I'm starting t-tapp this morning....thank goodness there's a short tape, too!

That's weird about the low BP, temp, and pulse, glittergal! Three so far....Peppermint, should we craft some sort of poll? I'm fascinated by this.

I also heard that the 'plateau' is from the body detoxing, as if the fluids are retaining the 'poisons' to later dump them. Often people give up at this time, when they shouldn't.Being active is certainly a key thing & it's tough as we live in a culture that promotes white collar jobs. I purposely do more active jobs, get paid less, but the payoff is better. I enjoy them more & get some exercise.My humorous theory is that the diet pill industry & the illegal aliens have a conspiracy. They take the jobs our overweight teenagers should be doing, & the diet industry keeps going. It's only a joke, but in the 'old days' our kids & housewives did those restaurant jobs, etc.I sometimes think I haven't gotten certain jobs because I wasn't a foreign male.Well, I am enjoying my bakery job now--walking a mile to work, belonging to Curves, & doing the exercise ball (one of the greatest inventions of this world!) Just another comment. My favorite language is Spanish & if I could choose a nationality to be, it would be Mexican. I love those people, but the illegal alien situation is a different thing, not necessarily related to everyday relationships....Sea Salt & Light,Mrs "T" O+

For weight loss I have to avoid ALL grains including Ezekiel bread, as well as all dairy products. I have to walk and do my stretches and floor exercises daily, and green tea seems to help. I am thinking that it might be helpful to check on the Deflect also to see if that makes a difference.

To Suzedgar:I think the secret is to focus on being healthy & the weight will take care of itself. Do you exercise to get rid of those pesky 5 pounds? Are you gaining muscle which weighs more? It's really how you look more than the actual weight. Some people have heavy bones; some may weigh less, but have light bones & be unhealthier. Maybe you are just sensitive to avoids. Whatever the situation, most on the board would LOVE to only be 5# overweight!!!! Sea Salt & Light,Mrs "T" O+